“Ivan Mazepa and his age: history, culture, national memory” (15–17 October 2008, Kyiv – Poltava).
In the world culture of ХVІІІ – ХХ centuries you will not find so many historical figures as popular as the Ukrainian hetman Ivan Mazepa. The literature, music, painting, drama theatre and later on the cinema – these are Muses who “took care” about Mazepa! His Odyssey as unique romantic hero started as if Voltaire has lightly waved his hand who in the “History of Charles ХІІ” built-up an exciting plot about the lover bind by the rival to the wild horse riding in the steppe. Then this love adventure (sure, sensibly romanced with poetic imagination) has revived in poems of George Byron and Juliusz Słowacki. And for this once Victor Hugo wrote not about the adventures of the passionate lover, but about Mazepa hetman, Cossack-kharakternyk who leaves Ukraine after lost battle together with Swedish King. Then novels, paintings, operas etc. appeared.
Далі…
